1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedance Coupe

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was first shown at the London Motor Show in 1929. With its 6-cylinder, 7.7-litre engine it was much faster than previous Rolls-Royce cars. The Continental, introduced in 1930 was designed for the owner-driver to enjoy and was built on a shorter chassis than previous Phantoms. It was the last Rolls-Royce designed by Henry Royce. Rolls-Royce created 281 Phantom II Continentals, and the Sedanca Three Position Drophead with coachwork by Gurney Nutting is one of the most beautiful of them all. Around twelve of these cars were built and just a handful remains. Chassis 71 MW was first owned by Albert Primrose, the sixth Earl of Rosebery.

On May 26th of 1933, H.R. Owen placed an order with Rolls-Royce for a Phantom II Continental. Chassis number 71MW was completed off-test July 7th and just 10 days later delivered to Gurney Nutting. The car was fitted with the desired 11-degree slant to the hood louvers, which would eventually carry into the cowl of the coachwork. Gurney Nutting completed the Three-Position sedanca Coupe on August 31st of 1933. Upon completion, the car was finished in dark green with a turquoise pinstripe and dark green leather interior with turquoise piping.

On September 7th of 1933, 71MW was delivered to its first owner, Albert Edward Harry Meyer Archibald Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery, Baron Epsom of Epsom. In addition to 71MW, harry added to the family stable three other Phantom IIs and a Phantom III. The latter Phantom II (179TA) and the Phantom III (3AZ158) also sported Gurney Nutting Sedanca coachwork.

On July 18th of 1936, the car was acquired by Sir John Francis Roskell Reynolds. It would remain with John until 1943 or thereabouts when the car was given Paddon Brothers Ltd. of Kensington and subsequently sold to the Honorable John Clotworthy Talbot Foster Whyte-Melville Skeffington, the 13th Viscount Massereene and Ferrard. Skeffington was noted for having driven the former Aston Martin Works Ulster, LM20, to an astonishing 5th overall at the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It is believed that the Rolls-Royce was subsequently advertised for sale in the July 1956 issue of Motorsport. In response to the ad, Wesley B. Hartman imported the Continental to Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 1962, Alan McEwan purchased the car and would retain it for 46 years. In 2008, the car was purchased by its current owner. A short time later, the car was given a restoration. In 2009, the completed Continental was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it participated in the Tour d'Elegance before Sunday's big event. It achieved a First in Class and was further awarded as the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible.

In 2010, it won First in Class and Best of Show at 9 major events, including the La Jolla Concours, the Belmont Concours, the Hillsborough Cocours, the Capitol Concours, the Niello Serrano Concours, and the Ironstone Concours, and was the 2010 Champion with the SCCA, frequently scoring a perfect 100 points. The following year, the car won First in Class and Best of Show at the Forest Grove Concours and First in Class and Best of Show at the Santa fe Concours.

In 2012, the car was invited to take part in the Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance. In May of 2013 the car was invited to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, where it was awarded Most Elegant Rolls-Royce and a Second in Class.